Letter to the Editor: Veteran’s Day
My name is Erik Poulsen. I served in the Army in Viet Nam from January, 1970, to February, 1971, in a support role—I drove a big truck. Every generation has seen our military called to arms—Viet Nam was my generation's time and place. Six who gave all in that war had Jefferson County as their home of record. Five from Port Townsend. Two were classmates when we graduated in 1968.
It is an honor to stand here in remembrance of each of these men.
The quotes I'll read are from the Wall of Faces, a database of the men and women memorialized on the Wall—the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Navy Seebee Construction Mechanic Third Class (CMA3) Marvin Glen Shields holds the Medal of Honor, our highest military award. The only Seebee awarded the Medal of Honor, he was killed in action on June 10, 1965, in a battle that raged for 14 hours. Marvin was first wounded when the compound of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was attacked by a reinforced Viet Cong regiment. After being wounded a second time he still “assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety.” After more hours of fighting he volunteered for an “extremely hazardous mission” to silence an enemy machinegun. The mission was successful but he was mortally wounded. CMA3 Marvin Shields graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1958 and is interred in the Gardiner Cemetery.
Marine Lance Corporal (LCPL) John Everett Paddock was a RTO—a radio telegraph operator. On September 11, 1966, he was traveling with three other Marines in a M422 Mighty Mite—a lightly armored jeep—when they hit a mine. All four were mortally wounded. His brother wrote, “John found his true calling when he became a Marine.” LCPL John Paddock is interred in the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
A week later, on September 18, 1966, Navy Corpsman Third Class (HM3) Timothy James McMahon was killed in action while serving with the First Marine Division. One who was with him wrote, “I talked to him as he lay dying and he was trying to tell me how to help the other wounded, with no thought of himself.” A relative wrote, “I was little when you left us but I remember your voice, your laugh and how kind you were. I also remember the family's grief.” HM3 Timothy McMahon is interred in the Fort Worden Military Cemetery.
Marine Private First Class (PFC) Stephen Ray Lopeman, a classmate, was killed in action on May 11, 1969, just ten days after his 19th birthday, while on a “search and clear mission.” A friend of Steve's and fellow Viet Nam vet, John Stover, wrote, “We lost a good guy that day in 1969. I will forever remember him. When I return to PT, I drive by his resting place and give my respects each and every time.” PFC Stephen Lopeman graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1968 and is interred in the Greenwood Cemetery in Chimacum.
Army Master Sergeant Monte Raoul de Vere, of Nordland, was killed in action on January 10, 1970. A career Military Policeman (MP), he served in World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. A fellow soldier wrote, “I was with you the morning you died, but unfortunately not there when you got hit. I have always felt guilty about that. … It was a privilege serving with you. I always admired your courage, determination and dedication.” Master Sergeant de Vere was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and bravery in action and the Bronze Star for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device and Oak Leaf Clusters. He is interred in the Fort Worden Military Cemetery.
The last to give all was Marine Corporal William Thomas Smith. Bill was a classmate and friend. He was killed in action on April 3, 1970, “while in a night defensive position.” Bill's father, Leonard, had served in the Marines and Bill had no doubts about the path he would take, enlisting when we graduated. I was in-country when I learned he was gone. In his last letter to me, two weeks before he was killed, he wrote about wanting to learn trades that would allow him, in his words, “to go anywhere in the world and get a job. That's what I want to do, 'cause there's a lot of places I want to see and live in to really see the world.” Corporal William Smith graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1968 and is interred in Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Townsend. Semper Fi, Bill.
These six are among the 58,318 men and women whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Many more Vietnam vets have suffered from Agent Orange exposure, debilitating wounds, lost limbs, and PTSD.
This is the price of service, and this is what we honor.
Quotes are from the Wall of Faces (https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/) and Coffelt Data Base (https://www.coffeltdatabase.org/)
